The 5 Biggest Myths about "Natural" Meats

The truth about antibiotics and hormones in meats, "natural" meats and more.

When it comes to making cleaner, greener food choices, most concerned consumers take care to choose the most “natural”
meats. But that’s often easier said than done. Marketing claims on meat and poultry labels are some of the most confusing
around and may not mean what you think they do.

How much do you know about natural meats? Check out these common myths to find out.

Myth. The term “natural” means only that no additives or preservatives were introduced
after the meat or poultry was processed. (And, in fact, certain sodium-based broths can be added to poultry and pork and
still be labeled “natural.”) The term “natural” is often confused with “naturally raised,” a term that, according to the
USDA, means the animals were not given antibiotics, growth hormones or animal by-products.

2. Myth or Truth: Grass-Fed Meats May be Healthier for You than Conventional Meats.

Truth. Some research suggests that grass-fed meats (which come from animals that are fed
only mother’s milk, fresh grass and cut hay for their entire lives) are richer in healthy omega-3 fats and conjugated
linoleic acid (CLA) than those raised on grains.

3. Myth or Truth: Buying USDA-Certified Organic Meat is Good for the Environment.

Truth. Organic standards ban the use of antibiotics and growth hormones, which leach into
groundwater and ultimately end up in public water supplies. Plus, all feed used in organic meat production is vegetarian
and certified organic—including pastureland—which means that it is not treated with pesticides or herbicides and cannot
be genetically modified.

4. Myth or Truth: “Certified Humane” is the Same Thing as USDA-Certified Organic

Myth. The “certified humane” label does not necessarily mean that the meat or poultry
meets all organic standards. It does, however, guarantee that animals have freedom to move and prohibits crates and
tie-downs in stalls, as well as artificial means to induce growth, such as continuous barn lights for broiler chickens.
“Certified humane” prohibits the use of antibiotics and growth hormones.

5. Myth or Truth: Buying Organic Chicken is a Good Way to Minimize Your
Exposure to Unnecessary Hormones.

Myth. You don’t need to worry about hormones in your chicken. Hormone use in poultry and
pork production—even conventional—has been banned since 1959. (Hormones are, however, given to cows.) But buying
USDA-certified organic chicken does ensure that the animal has not been given antibiotics.